Journal box



June 2, 1936.

D. s. BARRows JOURNAL BOX 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.

I lvMmu Awww) Patented June 2, 1936 STATES PATENT OFFICE JOURNAL BOX Application January 12, 1932, Serial No. 586,247

16 Claims.

This invention relates to journal boxes and, more particularly, to articulated lids for closing the outer openings in said boxes.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a journal box lid adapted to be connected to the lower portion of a journal box for closing the outer opening therein, spring means being provided for holding the lid in open or closed position.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a journal box lid assembly comprising a closure member, a lever and a torsion spring, said lever having trunnions adapted to engage bearing portions on the journal box below the lower edge of the opening therein, said lever providing seats for intermediate coil portions of the spring, and thespring having tails adapted to engage portions of the lid to prevent undesired removal thereof from the lever.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a journal box with a lid pivotally connected thereto at the bottom, and means for minimizing the entrance of water from the journal box roof under the top edge of the lid.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the apipended claims:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a journal box lid assembly embodying my invention, portions of the closure member being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction and show portions of an associated box.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 1, but showing a modication.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, the lid being also partially shown in open position in dot-dash lines.

Figure 6 is a View of the top portion of a lid and journal box showing another modification.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view corresponding to Figure 1, but showing another modification, a portion of the lid being broken away to sho-w the modied form of journal box with which it is associated.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the embodiment of my invention shown in Figure '7, the associated lid being shown in vertical section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and rst considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a portion of a journal 4box I fis illustrated having an outer or access opening 2 normally closed by a lid proper 3.

In order to connect the associated lid assembly to the journal box I, said box is provided with bearing pockets 4 dened by curved or hookshaped anges 5 inside the box I below the lid opening 2. 'Ihe lid assembly comprises the closure member 3 heretofore mentioned, the connecting lever 6, and the actuating torsion spring I. The lever 6 has outstanding trunnion portions 8 at its lower end received in the bearing pockets 4 for pivotally mounting the same with jeting ange or web portions IEI, being received in a bearing pocket I I on the upper end of the lever 6, said bearing pocket being dened by an outer h ooksshapedl portion I2 and an upstanding guiding portion I3. The flange or web portions I0 on the lid have inner convexly curved bearing surfaces I4 normally engaged by the tails I5 of the lspring 1, so that the spool portion 9 on the lid is forced into the bearing pocket and undesired removal of the lid from the lever prevented. Movement of the tails I5 is limited when the lid proper 3 is removed from the lever by outstanding lugs I5 on the lever 6. The intermediate coil portions I6 of the spring 'I engage pocketed portions I'I on the lever for properly actuating the same.

The lower or loop portion I8 of the spring 'I normally engages the cam portion I 9 provided on the journal box and dening the lower edge of the opening 2 therein. Said loop portion desirably has a wear plate 20 connected thereto.

An upstanding notched lug 2I is provided on top of the lid for opening the same. A downwardly opening pocket 22 is desirably provided for receiving a lid hook for closing said lid.

The top of the box is formed to provide a watershed 23 overlapped by the top flange 24 of the lid, the roof of .the lid sloping rearwardly from said watershed, as shown most clearly in Figure 2. An auxiliary drain groove `25, sloping to the sides of the box, is desirably provided to take care of whatever water seeps between the lid and the top of the main shed, whereby practically no water is allowed to get under the top edge of the lid and into the box.

Angular movement between the lid proper and lever for equalizing purposes is provided by having the surface on the hook l2 which engages the spool 9 horizontally convex, as clearly shown in the drawings. The connections and arrangement of the parts with respect to the lid proper 3 are such that not only is the lid equalized with respect to the lever, but the resultant closing pressure on the lid is such that it passes substantially through the center of the lid, in order that pressure on'the joint face may be uniform at all four sides. This is accomplished, in the present embodiment, by arranging the point of attachment between the lid proper and the lever slightly below the center of the lid and compensating for the resulting increased pressure at the bottom of the lid by arranging the contacts between the spring tails and lid below the point of attachment 4 between the lid and the lever, so that the lid will tend to rotate clockwise with reference to the lever, thereby causing the rotative force to increase the pressure of the lid at the top and decrease it at the bottom, whereby the resultant pressures are substantially uniform throughout the full periphery of the lid.

To assemble the lid and associated parts with respect to the box, the lever 6 with its spring 1 is inserted in a vertical position with its trunnions 8 hooked into the bearing pockets 4 on the box, the tails of the spring engaging the lugs l the lid.

vention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a construc- Referring now to the embodiment of my intion is there disclosed which is quite similar to that of the preceding embodiment in that a lid I journal portion or spool I2a received in a hook or bearing 9a extending inwardly from the lid 3a.

As in the previous embodiment, the lever 6a is provided with seat portions I1a for the coils l5- of the spring 1a, and the spring is provided with a Wear plate 2U'c1 normally engaging the cam por tion I9a at the lower side of the journal box opening 2a. The tails |5a of the spring, when the lid is closed, rest on supporting lug portions 26 on the lever 6a, but are adapted to contact lug portions 21 on the lid when said lid is opened,

' and thus limit clockwise rotative movement of said lid, thereby preventing said lid from encroaching beyond the standard railroad clearance, a iiat auxiliary spring 28, desirably connected to the lid by means of a rivet, or the like, 29, being preferably provided vto engage the end of .the lever (a and hold the lid in the open poof the box j formed gable-shaped or sloping from a longitudinal ridge 3| beyond or rearwardly of the shielding r sition shown in dot-dash lines in Figure 5, where the lugs 21 engage the ends of the spring tails |58.

The lid may be assembled with respect to the box, as in the previous embodiment, it being understood that the hook 9a on the lid is forced into engagement with the integral journal portion |2a on the lever, instead of the spool portion 9 on the lid being forced downwardly into the bearing Il on the lever, as in the previous embodiment. In making this assembly, the engagement between the spring tails and the lugs 21 will render the connection between the lid and lever quite secure, so that a tool will probably be required for prying the spring tails I5a from the lugs 21 for application and removal of the lid. It will, of course, be understood that the operation of the lid will be substantially the same as in the preceding embodiment, the pressure of the lower portion of the spring or that bearing the wear plate 2lla against the cam I9a serving to hold the lid closed when moved toward the box beyond a certain point, and opened when the lid has been moved away from said box until the wear plate 2U passes over the peak of the cam surface |911. A downwardly opening pocketed portion 22a, outstanding from and preferably integral with the lid, is provided for receiving a lid hook for actuating the lid to open or closed position. The top of the box may be provided with a watershed 23a and an auxiliary drain 25a, as in the preceding embodiment.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 6, a lid 3b is there shown which may correspond substantially with that of either of the previous embodiments, except that the upper edge thereof is unprovided with a water-shedding flange, and the journal box roof is instead provided with an over-hanging flange 23b providing a pocket or groove 30 receiving the upper edge or edge portion of the lid 3b, and thereby preventing the entrance of water under said upper edge when the lid is closed.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures '7 and 8, portions of a journal box lc are there shown, together with vcorresponding portions of an associated lid 3c closing the outer opening 2c in said box. The top I c is, in the present embodiment,

flange 2lic on the lid 3C, whereby any Water received on the top of the box beyond the protecting flange 2lic will drain to the sides of the box. An auxiliary drain groove 25c is provided, as in the first two embodiments, which groove, as clearly shown in Figures '1 and 8, slopes toward the sides of the box for the discharge of water received therein. The lid 3, other than as here described, may be of any desired form. It will also be understood that although lids of a certain type have been shown associated with journal boxes with roofs formed especially for draining water therefrom, it will be understood that lids of other types may be substituted while still retaining the desired drainage features disclosed.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that I have provided an articulated lid assembly, the lid proper or closure portion of which may be formed either as a casting or pressing, and the parts of which are readily manufactured, easily assembled and adapted to angle laterally to provide for rmly seating the lid over the outer opening of an associated journal box around the full periphery thereof. As distinguishedfrom the conventional lid, the connection between the lid and box is at the bottom instead of at the top, and the spring is on the inside rather than on the outside of the lid and engages an inside cam rather than an outside cam, but it nevertheless eiciently serves for holding the lid in open or closed position, means being provided for minimizing the entrance of water from the journal box roof under the upper edge of the lid.

In all forms of my invention, I propose that the lid be pressed against the box with substantially uniform force around the full periphery. This is accomplished in the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 by forming the connection between the spider and lid slightly below the center of the box opening and providing that the spring will exert a clockwise rotative force on the lid. In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5, I accomplish substantially the same result by making the point of connection between the lid and spider correspond with the center of the box opening.

Although I have illustrated and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the same are merely illustrative, and that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims without departing from my invention.

' I claim:-

1. Iny combination, a journal box having an outer opening, that portion of said box dening the lower edge of' said opening being formed as a cam, a lever with its lower end portion pivoted to said box adjacent the lower edge of said opening, a lid movably mounted on the upper end of said lever, and a spring mounted on said lever and acting on said cam to hold the lid in open or closed position.

2. In combination, a journal box having an outer opening and a journal box lid assembly connected to said box, said assembly comprising a lid proper, a torsion spring, comprising an intermediate coiled portion with upper and lower generally straight portions, and a spider holding said spring in stressed position, the lower end of said spider having trunnion means pivotally connected to a lower portion of said box, the upper end of said spider being connected to said lid, and the coiled portion of said spring seating on an intermediate portion oi said spider with the generally straight portions respectively engaging the lid proper and box.

3. In combination, a journal box having an outer opening, a lever with its lower end pivotally mounted on said box adjacent the lower edge of said opening, a lid pivotally mounted on the other end of said lever, and a spring with an intermediate portion engaging said lever, a lower portion engaging the box to hold the lid in open or closed position, and normally upper portions the ends of which are engaged by lugs on the lid when open, and an auxiliary spring connected to said lid and acting on the lever to urge the lid lugs into engagement with said spring to hold the lid in proper position when open.

4. In combination, a journal box having an outer opening, a lid pivotally connected to said box adjacent the lower portion of said opening, said lid having means overlying the outer edge of the roof of said box adjacent said opening, said roof being adapted to drain water away from said opening from said overlying means, and provided with a drainage groove beneath said overlying means.

5. In combination, a journal boxxhaving? an outer opening, that portionvfof said boxivdening the lower edge of said opening being formedf asa cam, a lever with its lower end port-ionformed with outstanding lugs, said box being; providedg,

' with inside bearing pockets'below` the lid opening cam, a lever movably connectedv to the boxadja- (-1.5.

cent the lower portion of said opening, thefother end of said lever having an upwardly open bearing portion, a lid with a journal portion normally received in said bearing portion, and spring means with intermediate portions mountedV 0110210 said lever, upper end portions acting on said lid to restrain separation from said lever, and a lower portion acting on said cam for holding said lid in open or closed position.

7. In combination, a journal box having ang" outer opening, a lever with its lower end movably connected to said box adjacent the lower portion of said opening, a lid pivotally mountedfon the other end of said lever, and a spring with its lower end engaging the box to hold the` lid in open #39 or closed position, intermediate portions engaging said lever, and upper portions engaging said lid below the pivotal connection between said lid and lever for causing the upper portion of said lid to tend to rotate toward the box whereby it 35 will stand in a slightly more vertical position when open and prevent encroachment upon established external clearances, the axis of connection between the lid and lever being below the center of the opening in the box to compensate 40 for the rotative force and make the pressure between the lid and box substantially uniform around the full periphery.

8. A 'journal box lid assembly comprising a lid proper, a torsion spring, and a lever, said lid 45 proper being pivotally mounted on the upper end of said lever, the lower end of said lever having trunnions adapted for pivotal connection with respect to lower portions of a journal box, said spring being normally seated on said lever and having a lower portion adapted to engage a cam on said box, and upstanding end portions adapted to engage said lid and prevent removal thereof from said lever.

9. In combination, a journal box having an outer opening, a lid for closing said opening, said lid having means overlying the upper edge of the roof of said box adjacent said opening, said roof beyond said overlying means sloping for draining water therefrom and formed with a drainage groove beneath said overlying means.

10. A spider adapted to connect a lid to an associated journal box comprising a body portion providing a cylindrically concave seat for side portions of coils of spring-actuating means, outwardly extending trunnions adjacent oneend for pivotal connection with an associated box, and means adjacent its other end for pivotal connection with an associated lid. 70

11. In combination, a journal box having an access opening, a lid pivotally connected to said box adjacent the lower portion of said opening, said lid having means overlying an adjacent portion of the upper part of said box, the roof of 75 said box being adapted to drain water away from said opening, and said box being provided with a drainage groove beneath-said overlying means.

12. In combination, a journal box having an access opening, a lid pivotally connected to said box adjacent the lower portion of said opening so as to be swingable to and from closed position about .the axis of said pivotal connection, an .upper edge portion of said box having a groove and a cooperating edge portion of said lid being receivable in said groove and housed on three sides when the lid is closed, in order to seal the joint between said lid and box.

13. In combination, a journal box having an access opening, a lid for closing said opening, and means for pivotally mounting said lid on said box, so as to swing about an axis adjacent the lower edge of the lid, comprising a unitary intermediate member, the lower portion of which is pivotally connected directly to, and on the inside of, the box below the lower edge of the lid, and the upper portion of which is movably connected directly to the lid.

14. In combination, a journal box having an access opening, a lid for closing said opening, and means for mounting said lid on said box comprising an intermediate member, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to the box and the upper end of which is pivotally connected to the lid, and resilient means for holding the lid -in open or closed position with respect to said box comprising a spring, the end portions of which, respectively, engage the lid and box, and the intermediate portion of which engages said intermediate member.

15. In combination, a journal box having an access opening, a lid for closing said opening, said lid being pivotally connected to said box adjacent the lower portion of said opening and having means overlying the outer portion of an upper part of said box adjacent said opening, the box roof beyond said overlying means sloping for draining water therefrom, and said box having a, drainage groove beneath said overlying means.

16. In combination, a journal box having a roof and an access opening, a lid for closing said opening, said lid having means which when closed overlies the outer portion of an upper part of said box adjacent said opening, extends substantially normal to the plane of said opening and is disposed above the roof, said roof beyond said overlying means sloping for draining water therefrom, and said box having a drainage groove formed by downwardly offsetting the outer portion of the roof for a substantial distance, so as to provide a drainage passage of substantial area, beneath said overlying means when the lid is closed.

DONALD S. BARROWS. 

